Tiny F-5 and T-38

[cafe]

Hi!

I'm working on tiny models of the Northrop N-156 family: F-5A/B/E/F and T-38. They're simple models (a bit boxy) and about 5.5 cm long. I don't know what scale that makes them. Doing an F-5 is not an original idea, I know but I really want to do the two-seaters.

It's my first project completely made on computer (using Inkscape) and the first time I've actually used a 4 view plan for basis. If I complete the design, they'll be free.

Here are some views of the first F-5A test build. I have yet to design the side pieces (air intake/engine pods and exhaust pipes or whatever the actual parts are called in english). I built it at work during lunch break, using a glue I hate and scissors too big.

The blue and white cube is 5 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm.

 

[bulldogowner]

Wow! Very impressive!! There are those around here that would say the planes are huge...but they build with microscopes... Nice builds! Keep it up!

 

[cafe]

Thanks.

I made the engine nacelles but I'll have to redo and simplify them. They're a nightmare to cut and build. The nozzles are still missing.

I hope my second prototype will be better built. At least I'll use my usual tools and I won't forget to add some weight inside the nose/canopy area.

Here are some pictures of the almost complete and ugly first prototype. The other plane is my 20 years old T-38.

 

[cafe]

I skipped prototype 2 and built number 3. It's bigger : its length is 7 cm (still no nozzles) and the wingspan is 4 cm -> it's supposed to be 1/200. I didn't change the engine nacelles and I think I'll completely redesign the model and the way I cut it into different parts. I'm actually relearning everything.

I also did my first colorisation (I'm still learning how to use Inkscape!). It's a south Vietnamese F-5A. The serial uses the wrong font, the black/yellow checkered stripe is a caricature and the fuel tank is a complete invention. :mrgreen:

 

[cafe]

Prototype 4, test build of the F-5B.

There are still some kinks I need to iron out but the configuration of the air intake/engine nacelles/nozzle parts is now complete.

The last pic shows prototypes 3 and 4 with Vladimir's Su-24 (I colored it after I built it). They're all supposed to 1/200 scale.

 

[Retired_for_now]

Looks great! At that scale/size it won't look boxy at all.

Yogi

 

[cafe]

Thanks.

 

[cafe]

I built a second F-5B. This one was printed on the old color printer we have at the office... an utterly unreliable HP Business Inkjet 2600.

Pics of prototypes 4 and 5 below. The grey/blue one is supposed to be a SF-5B of Ala 23 of the Spanish Air Force based at Talavera la Real in southwestern Spain, close to the portuguese border. It's not a clean build but it went smoother than the first one.

 

[Retired_for_now]

Definitely captures the essence of the airplane - you going to post the final products here?

Yogi

 

[cafe]

Yes, once I complete the T-38.

 

[Samardza]

suggestion, do a T-38 in
thunderbirds graphics. Also, you may want to add a F-20

 

[cafe]

Why not, but the livery is complex and the flag panel will be a problem. Right now, the intended liveries for the T-38A are USAF white, NASA and Portuguese Air Force. Here is a quick profile of NASA 901 I did yesterday. The registration won't be legible on the real model but it's there.

The F-20 isn't planned at this stage. I'll have to do the F-5E/F first.

(Edit: changed the pic, it now shows profiles for both NASA and FAP T-38A)

 

[rbeach84]

Salute

I salute your creativity. I'm sure the skills you are learning will only expand your modeling capabilities. You certainly have selected a subject with a lot of variety in versions & markings. Good work!

Regards,
Robert

 

[cafe]

Thanks Robert.

Samardza, I'll do the Thunderbirds version. Their logo will be barely visible at 1/200 scale but it will be there. I skipped the flag panel on the other side.

 

[cafe]

Here's a family portrait of the 5 prototypes built to date:
- 1 tiny F-5A with missing nozzles
- 1 mini F-5A
- 2 mini F-5B
- 1 mini T-38A

And some pics of the T-38A in Thunderbirds colors. Not a clean build due to the antenna on the back. I'll have to change the color of the canopy on color printed models.

 

[cafe]

I built 2 more T-38A. :mrgreen:

The build report (in french) is here and the PDF files are awaiting approval :

- white model
- Portuguese Air Force
- NASA (3 planes, N901NA, N962NA & N964NA)
- Thunderbirds (2 planes, numbers 1 & 5)
- Thunderbirds 1976 paint scheme (2 planes, numbers 1 & 5)

 

[Elliott]

Approved and ready for download! Thank you for your generosity!

 

[cafe]

I'm working on an NF-5A (and B) in Turkish Stars colors (3rd pic).

The other pictures show my first test build of the wingtips fuel tanks. The aircraft itself is an early test build, not my current F-5A.

 

[cafe]

The Turkish Stars NF-5 are ready !






The build report for the NF-5A is here (in french).

 

[Samardza]

nice, another in the family would be a F-20, The SEPECAT Jaguar would be nice in this scale as well